How to Learn the Rules of the Long Jump

The long jump is one of the staples of track and field. As simple as the name it's given, it consists of who can jump the farthest from a given point. It sounds easy enough, but here are some rules you need to pay attention to so you do not get disqualified.

Instructions

    • 1

      Mind the take-off line. No part of your toe or foot is allowed to cross the take-off line. If it does, you will be given a foul. 3 fouls and you are disqualified from the competition.

    • 2

      Fly through the air. No part of your body may touch the ground between the take-off line and where you land in the sand. This seems sort of obvious, but if you for some reason tripped or fell, that turn would be over, you'd receive a foul and would be forced to move to your next attempt.

    • 3

      Walk forward. Once you have hit the sand, you may not back track through the pit. At that time the judges are trying to get an accurate reading of your jump. If you do move back through the pit you may be disqualified.

    • 4

      Fall forward. The jump is measured from the piece of your body that hits the sand closest to the take-off or foul line. So try and fall forward to maximize your distance.

    • 5

      Watch your fouls. In most competitions after you foul 3 times, you are disqualified. Some competitions limit this to 2.